[10] Hillary Clinton to meet opposition leaders during her visit to Turkey

The top stories in today's Turkish Cypriot press include Kudret Ozersay's
contacts with British officials in London in preparation for the 26
January meeting in Geneva, statements by Ozdil Nami on the Cyprus problem,
Huseyin Ozgurgun's accusations that the Greek Cypriot side is distorting
the UN Secretary-General's words, and Bulent Arinc's reference to the
statements made by George Papandreou in Erzurum and Angela Merkel in
Cyprus. Today's papers also focus on the signing of the agreement for
the establishment of the new aviation company, the continuing strikes in
the occupied areas of the island and a conflict between Turgay Avci and
the Trade Unions' Platform as a result of the reaction by Sener Elcil
to Erdogan's statement that Turkey will not give even a tiny bit from
Cyprus. Moreover, the papers cover the Armenian President's visit to
the Republic of Cyprus and the statements by the head of the so-called
Cyprus Turkish investment Development Agency (YAGA).

Under the title "Preparation before Geneva", Turkish Cypriot daily
Kibris (18.01.11) reports that Kudret Ozersay, adviser of the Turkish
Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, is having contacts in London with British
officials. According to the paper, the aim of Ozersay's meetings is to
exchange views and make evaluations on the current situation and the
future of the Cyprus negotiations.

During a short briefing on his contacts, Ozersay said his meetings
with British officials were extremely useful. He noted that he had the
opportunity to express the views of the Turkish side on the Cyprus problem
and listen to the views of the Turkish Cypriots living in London. Ozersay
is expected to conclude his contacts today and return to the occupied
part of the island.

Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis (18.01.11) reports that Kudret Ozersay had
lunch yesterday with Lord David Hannay, British former special adviser
for Cyprus. The paper writes that Ozersay and Hannay exchanged views
on the latest developments in the Cyprus problem and evaluated the
possible developments in the Geneva meeting and the period that will
follow. In statements to Havadis, Ozersay expressed his satisfaction
for the meeting with Hannay, "who had an important role in the Cyprus
problem in the past".

(I/Ts.)

[02] Ozgurgun accuses the Greek Cypriot side of distorting statements
made by the UN Secretary-General

Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris (18.01.11) reports that Huseyin
Ozgurgun, self-styled minister of foreign affairs of the breakaway
regime in the occupied areas of Cyprus, alleged that since 2004 the
Greek Cypriot side had been sitting in the dock for the non-solution of
the Cyprus problem.

In a written statement issued yesterday, Ozgurgun replied to the
statement made by the President of the House of Representatives, Marios
Garoyian that Turkey should sit in the dock for the non-solution of the
Cyprus problem. Ozgurgun claimed that this approach shows once more
the "insincerity" of the Greek Cypriot side and "tries to hide its
responsibility for the creation and continuation" of the Cyprus problem.

Ozgurgun accused the Greek Cypriot side of distorting "historical
realities and the facts in the negotiations". He especially accused
the government Spokesman, Stefanos Stefanou of distorting the latest
statements of the UN Secretary-General, saying that Ban Ki-moon had once
more emphasized that "there are no time limits or end dates" in the Cyprus
talks. Ozgurgun claimed that there is no expression that could have this
meaning in the statement of the UN Secretary-General. He added that Ban
Ki-moon has many times, both orally and in writing, expressed his views
on this issue and that in his latest report he said the negotiations in
Cyprus could not last forever. With this reference, alleges Ozgurgun,
the UN Secretary-General pointed out that the negotiations should be
concluded in the first quarter of 2011.

Moreover, Ozgurgun accused the Government Spokesman of trying to deceive
the public by stating that the illness of the Turkish Cypriot leader
Eroglu caused a delay in the negotiations. Ozgurgun claimed that the
Government Spokesman ignored the "important effort" exerted by Eroglu,
despite his illness, for the continuation of the talks.

Ozgurgun said that everybody knows the "constructive proposals" submitted
by the Turkish Cypriot side after the meeting in New York and that the
Greek Cypriot side is responsible for not achieving so far the desirable
convergence.

Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris (18.01.11) reports that Ozdil Nami,
"MP" with the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) and adviser of the former
Turkish Cypriot leader Talat, said no preparation has been made for the
meeting in Geneva of the UN Secretary-General, President Christofias
and Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu.

In statements to Ada TV, Nami recalled that the UN Secretary-General had
assigned to the leaders the duty of preparing an action plan before the
meeting in Geneva. Noting that the same deadlocks will exist when the
sides go to Geneva, Nami said he does not believe the negotiations will
secure a momentum for a solution. He argued that the discussion of the
property issue caused deadlocks in the talks.

Referring to the statements made by the German Chancellor Merkel during
her recent visit to Cyprus, Nami alleged that these words created a
negative atmosphere. Citing press reports regarding possible "mistake
in the translation" of Merkel's statements, Nami said it would not be
correct to show extreme reaction before seeing the original text of
the statements.

Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan (18.01.11), in its front page under the
title "TRT channels are mobilized", reports that Turkish State Minister
and Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc received in Ankara yesterday
a delegation headed by the self-styled culture and tourism minister
Kemal Durust.

During the meeting, Durust asked for media support in promoting the
occupied areas in the framework of "Year of the TRNC in Turkey". He added
that "TRNC" promotion in Turkey should focus on its historical richness
and social as well as cultural life.

Arinc, for his part, said that "the Turkish Directorate General of
Press and Information, TRT TV channel and the Ankara Anatolia news
agency (AA) will extend every support to the TRNC in 2011 to publicize
plans and events to take place in Turkey". He also said that "tourism
and education are crucial for the economic development of the TRNC",
adding that they should concentrate on these two sectors.

Asked to comment on the latest statements by Greek Prime Minister
Papandreou and German Chancellor Merkel on the Cyprus issue, Arinc said:
"Frankly, we don't take it very seriously". Maintaining that Merkel made
those statements due to her anxiety on domestic policies, Arinc said
that Merkel should talk more carefully and consider the efforts of the
Turkish Cypriot side to reach a Cyprus settlement. He added that former
German Chancellor Schroeder supported Turkey's EU bid.

Commenting on Papandreou's recent statements in Erzurum, Arinc repeated
that Papandreou should also be more careful in his speeches, adding that
Prime Minister Erdogan has given the appropriate respond on Papandreou's
statements.

Arinc also said that despite the obstacles in her EU process, Turkey
would continue to have a brave, determined and principled position.

Noting that there are strong ties between Turkey and the breakaway regime
and that this will never change, Arinc said that the EU has no right
to speak on the Cyprus issue. Arinc said: "We support the negotiation
process in Cyprus, however, it is not the end of the world if they don't
reach a settlement." He concluded saying that "the Republic of Turkey
is behind the Turkish Cypriots".

Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes (18.01.11) reports that the so-called public
works and transportation minister Ersan Saner said that today is a
historic day for the breakaway regime, adding that for the first time,
"TRNC state" participates in a joint venture with the private sector.

"TRNC", the private sector and Turkish Airlines (THY) will meet today
for the signing ceremony of the agreement to establish the "Northern
Cyprus Airlines" (KKH), following the bankruptcy in September 2010 of
Turkish Cypriot Airlines (KTHY).

Saner said that the new company will initially have three planes, flying
to 11 destinations as of the end of March.

According to Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan (18.01.11), Turgay Avci, leader
of the Freedom and Reform Party (ORP), criticized harshly the latest
statement by Sener Elcil in response to the statement made by Erdogan
that Turkey will not give even a tiny bit from Cyprus, and called on
him to resign immediately.

Avci said in a press release that he feels disappointed because a
person leading the teachers' union and entrusted with their children, is
impertinent when speaking about the Prime Minister of the motherland who
always stands by the Turkish Cypriots. He also accused Elcil that with his
statements he is becoming the spokesperson of the Greek Cypriots instead
of defending their national rights and national values. Finally, he called
on Elcil to apologize to the Turkish Cypriots and to motherland Turkey.

In a front-page article under the title "The employee of AKP", Turkish
Cypriot daily Afrika (18.01.11), reports that the Trade Unions Platform
countered Avci's statements laying a black wreath outside ORP office
with the note "Turgay Avci is the employee of AKP".

Mehmet Ozkardas, Chairman of the Public sector union (Kamu-Sen),
speaking on behalf of the Platform, recalled that the Trade Unions
Platform declared 2011 as the year of "communal existence", adding that
they are determined to fight for communal existence.

Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes (18.01.11) reports that Dervis Besimler,
the new director of the "Cyprus Turkish Development Agency" (YAGA),
speaking during a programme on illegal Bayrak Haber TV, said that work
is underway to open the road for more investors. He said that "YAGA" is
determined to reach its goal within 2011, which is to simplify procedures.

He also announced that a workshop seeking ways to create an "investment
climate" in the occupied areas will take place on January 27-28. He said
of the 40 proposals submitted to "YAGA", some have already been approved
and the projects will be initiated once the procedures are concluded for
the rental of the site. Besimler also said that in the future priority
will be given to Turkish Cypriot investors living abroad.

The meeting of the Turkish, Syrian and Qatari leaders and the discussion
on the Lebanon crisis, Sarkozy's invitation to Erdogan for cooperation
over the issue of Lebanon, Erdogan's article in Newsweek referring to
Turkey as the "Robust Man of Europe," the drop in the unemployment rate
in October to 11.2%, drop in Turkey's deficit-to-GDP ratio to 3.6%,
and other internal issues are the main stories of today's Turkish press.

[08] Erdogan meets Syrian President and Qatari Amir; Turkey invited to
an international meeting on the Lebanese crisis

Ankara Anatolia news agency (AA ? 17.01.11) reported that the Turkish
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan had a t?te-a-t?te meeting with the
Syrian President Bashar al-Asad in Damascus on Monday.

Earlier Erdogan had joint a meeting with al-Asad and Qatar's Amir
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani over the new political crisis in
Lebanon. Foreign Ministers of Turkey, Syria and Qatar also attended the
meeting which sought a solution to the government crisis that broke out
in Lebanon, AA reported.

The three leaders issued a joint statement after their meeting,
stressing the importance of finding a solution to the Lebanese crisis,
within the scope of the good willed efforts initiated by Syria and
Saudi Arabia. It also called for measures to prevent the situation from
further deteriorating. The three leaders welcomed the decision of the
Lebanese parliament to postpone discussions (to form a new government)
until political efforts to re-establish stability in Lebanon becomes
more concrete.

Moreover, AA reported (17.01.11) that speaking at a news conference prior
to his departure for Damascus, Erdogan said that he received an invitation
from the French President Nicolas Sarkozy for an international meeting
on the recent political crisis in Lebanon. He said: "President Sarkozy
sent a letter inviting us to the international meeting on Lebanon. And
we responded to his invitation in the affirmative. Seven countries have
been invited to the meeting so far the date of the gathering will be
set later."

Prime Minister Erdogan added that the foreign minister of Iran would be
visiting Turkey later in the day to hold talks about the developments
in Lebanon.

Furthermore, AA reported that the Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet
Davutoglu, who cancelled his official visit to Hungary scheduled for
January 18, will travel to Lebanon today to hold meetings in order to
help find a solution to the government crisis in this country.

[09] Turkey and Ukraine to sign High Level Cooperation Council agreement

According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (AA ? 17.01.11), Turkish Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will travel to Ukraine on an official
visit on January 24 and 25.

In a statement issued, the Turkish Prime Ministry's Press Centre said
that Erdogan will have meetings with the Ukrainian President Viktor
Yanukovych and Prime Minister Mykola Azarov. Erdogan and Yanukovych are
expected to sign a Joint Declaration for the establishment of a High
Level Cooperation Council between the two countries.

In addition, Erdogan will participate in a meeting of the
Turkish-Ukrainian Business Council in Kiev on January 25.

[10] Hillary Clinton to meet opposition leaders during her visit to Turkey

Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (17.01.11), cites a report in Cumhuriyet
on Monday that the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is set to meet
Turkish opposition figures in Ankara in February, to avoid speculation
that her visit might indicate support for the ruling Justice and
Development Party (AKP).

"They are very much aware of the situation in Turkey, but we want them to
hear it from us as well," Kemal Kilicdaroglu, leader of the Republican
People's Party (CHP) said, confirming that he is scheduled to meet US
Secretary of State Clinton on February 7. Clinton is expected to arrive
in Turkey shortly after the new US envoy to Turkey Francis Ricciardone
assumes his post late January.

Clinton is also scheduled to meet leaders of the Nationalist Movement
Party (MHP) and the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP).

Kilicdaroglu said he plans to give Clinton three reports: Turkey's
"judiciary, freedom of the media, and public expenditures". "You can't
talk about a healthy democracy in a country where public expenditures
are not healthy. We will not only give these reports to Mrs Clinton,
but to all visiting foreigners," he said, adding: "We want them to
see the real face of the AKP, for they realize that the AKP is neither
pro-democratic nor pro-freedom, as it claims."

Under the above title, Turkish daily Today's Zaman (18.01.11) reports that
the total value of gold extracted from mines across Turkey totalled close
to $800 million in 2010, continuing its upward trend since 2001, with two
new mines expected to almost double production by the end of this year.

According to recent data from the Gold Miners Association (AMD), there
are five gold mining companies operating in Turkey that have extracted
17 tons of gold with a value of $800 million. A total of 8.6 out of
17 tons of gold have been extracted from the Kisladag gold mine in the
Aegean province of Usak.

Furthermore, the AMD data show that 4.2 tons and 3.7 tons of gold were
extracted from the Mastra mine in Gumushane and Bergama Ovacik in Izmir,
respectively. The remaining half ton of gold was extracted from both the
Ilic gold mine in Erzincan and the Salihli-Sart mine in the province of
Manisa. The production of gold in Turkey started in 2001, with the amount
extracted increasing yearly. The total amount of gold-mined 10 years ago
was only 1.4 tons, while it rose to eight tons in 2006, 11 tons in 2008,
14.5 tons in 2009 and 17 in 2010, bringing the total amount extracted
since 2001 close to 82 tons.

Speaking to the Anatolia news agency, AMD's General Coordinator Muhterem
Kose said the total gold extracted in Turkey is only 10% of the total
deposit. Kose noted that the gold mining sector has been in the spotlight
in the last few years.

Speaking at a news conference on budget figures in 2010, Simsek said
that non-interest budget expenses were 245.33 billion TL and tax incomes
amounted to 210.53 billion TL. "The budget deficit was calculated as 39.6
billion TL," he told reporters. "The budget deficit was 52.76 billion
TL in 2009 which means a 25% drop in 2010's budget deficit. On the other
hand, the non-interest surplus increased 20-fold to 8.69 billion TL. These
figures indicate our success in our budget performance," he said.

As AA reported, earlier, budget expenses were estimated at 286.98 billion
TL and budget revenues at 236.79 billion TL. A budget deficit of 50.18
billion TL was predicted. The budget deficit was revised at 44.2 billion
TL during preparatory works for the Middle-Term Plan.

Following are summaries of reports and commentaries of selected items
from the Turkish press of 17 January 2011:

a) Protests against Erdogan

An article by Milliyet columnist Taha Akyol asserts that neither Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan nor the Galatasaray (Istanbul football
club) administration expected the protest at the opening of the new
Arena Stadium in Istanbul. Akyol describes the protest against Erdogan
as an "ugly and rude" incident, but also advises the prime minister "to
correctly understand the reaction in certain sectors of society." Akyol
warns that Erdogan should be aware fact that "the 42% of the people
[who said no to the government's constitutional amendments in the
recent referendum] will have less tolerance! It will be more difficult
to rule society!"

Hurriyet columnist Tufan Turenc claims that Prime Minister is once
again implementing a strategy which helped him a lot to in the former
general elections. He speculates that Erdogan is deliberately "escalating
tension" in the country in an effort to create the impression that the
ruling Justice and Development party [AKP] is the victim of its opponents'
smear campaign. According to Turenc, the release of the Hizbullah members,
Erdogan's instruction for the demolition of a statue in Kars*, reaction
against a TV series, and the restrictions on the sale of alcohol are the
main issues that were started by the AKP government and triggered heated
debates in the country. He urges Erdogan and his party to comply with
the requirements of democracy and avoid "underestimating the protests"
that took place during the inauguration of the Arena Stadium.

According to a report in Milliyet, Prime Minister Erdogan's lawyers filed
a lawsuit against Taraf columnist Ahmet Altan for insulting Erdogan's
personality in an article he wrote on 15 January. Altan is said to have
accused the prime minister of failing to act as a "mature" leader while
criticizing a statue symbolizing the Turkish-Armenian relations and
"ruining relations" with Greece by condoning the flight of jets over
the Aegean during the visit of Greek Prime Minister Papandreou to Turkey.

Today's Zaman columnist Yavuz Baydar links public "discontent" with
Prime Minister Erdogan, signalled by the protests at the inauguration
of Galatasaray's new stadium, to what he describes as Erdogan's
increasingly strident tone, his reference to a monument in Kars as a
"freak," government practices deemed as "censorship," and the latest
restrictions imposed on the sale of liquor.

* [Note: Arrow was triggered when Erdogan described a monument in the
eastern city of Kars, near the Armenian frontier, as a freak overshadowing
the town's historic treasures including a Muslim shrine. Erdogan
demanded its demolition on aesthetic grounds. Erdogan's comments were
seized by Turkish nationalists. The monument sculptor, Mehmet Aksoy,
says it symbolizes peace.]

b) Alleged plans to create chaos ahead of 2011 elections

In an 800-word article entitled "All-out war," Mehmet Baransu of Taraf
claims that efforts are underway to implement a series of action plans
until the general elections to be held in June 2011. Stressing that
a public opinion poll showing weak public support for the Republican
People's Party [CHP] under Baykal's leadership led certain media groups
and "deep CHP members " to "press the button" for the removal Deniz
Baykal from leadership, he speculates that those who want to oust the
AKP administration are now planning to create chaos by using Hizbullah
and other radical Islamist groups. The number of martyrs will increase
in the coming days to have the Nationalist Action Party [MHP] pass
the election threshold and to replace the ruling AKP with a CHP-MHP
coalition government, he maintains. Baransu also claims that the Dogan
Group, which was planning to sell some of its media assets, has recently
changed its strategy and decided to work for a CHP-MHP coalition. He
concludes by quoting an unnamed source as saying that he is concerned
about an assassination attempt against MHP leader Devlet Bahceli.

c) Clinton to meet Turkish opposition leader

Asli Aydintasbas of Milliyet says that US Secretary of State Hillary
Clinton is planning to meet with CHP leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu during
her visit to Turkey on February 7. She asserts that Clinton's visit is
"very important" not only for the main opposition CHP but also for the
Turkish-US relations which suffered from "instability" in the recent
years. According to Aydintasbas, by meeting with the CHP, Washington
is willing to show the importance it attaches to democracy in Turkey
and also wants to convey the message that the Turkish-US relations are
not only indexed to the AKP. She adds that the meeting has a symbolic
meaning for the CHP as well as it will lead to the recognition of the
new party leader in the international arena and change the perception
that the party has an "isolationist" and "anti-western" position.
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